Simple Childlike Trust

Our proverb today is about the sweetness of simplicity. The fast track, get ahead, me-first life has crashed all around us. For us as Christians it’s time to return to the basics of humility, receptivity, and simple trust in the Lord.

It is better to live humbly with the poorthan to share plunder with the proud.Those who listen to instruction will prosper;those who trust the Lord will be happy.

Proverbs 16:19-20

“It is better to live humbly.” Better is such an ordinary word. Normally I wouldn’t bother to look it up, but listen to the definition. Better is “pleasant, excellent, valuable, glad, happy, prosperous, and kind.” It’s incredible that all this good comes when we are happy and contented with the low, humble places and things in life.

Jesus talked about the high seats and the low seats one day. He said the Pharisees always make sure that they get the best seat at all times. Really? That’s a lot of work. All the time you’re comparing. All the time you’re working things to your advantage.

But remember that day they brought young children to Jesus and the disciples wanted to send them away? They must have thought that children were not worth the Savior’s time. “But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me . . . for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter in it’” (Mark 10:14-15, NKJV). So that’s a good word.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

The definition of simple is “not complicated, easy to do, not luxurious or elegant.” There is truly no better picture of this than a child holding her father’s hand. She is safe and free to enjoy the journey. Close your eyes. Can you picture yourself as that little girl with a small hand? Can you picture your Father God holding you and guiding you? “You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15). Will you take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and lean into your Father’s strength and wisdom and love?

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 22:1–23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20